Issue date: 6/2/09 Section: News

"If I were your age and not in class I would be out there everyday," Becky Teaters said. Teaters, a district sales consultant for Performance Food Group, chose to sit indoors at the Panther Paw rather than the patio solely for work purposes. (Cari Wafford/The Daily Eastern News)

The summer weather and clear skies have many bar-goers itching to use the beer garden at the Panther Paw.

But, with the city council's approval, they will have competition from Marty's soon.

The city zoning board denied Marty's proposal 3-2, and sent the request to the city council without their recommendation.

Two members of the board were absent, but city council approved the beer garden.

Mayor John Inyart said one of the main concerns had to do with the amount of space present for parking.

"The bar has never had a lot of space for parking anyways, most of the traffic is foot traffic," Inyart said.

Additional changes are also going to be made by Marty's, Inyart said.

Improvements will be done to the outside appearance of Marty's.

Mayor Inyardt said they want to make Marty's blend in better with the new neighboring building, Campus View Suites.

J.J. Murphy, a manager from the Panther Paw, said the Panther Paw has had a beer garden for about 10 months, and they have had positive feedback from the community.

"There are many people that want to take advantage of it, and we are the only place around here right now that offers that," Murphy said. "We have a lot of people during the day that like to eat their lunch out there, and at night many people want to get away from the crowded bar and head outside."

Marty's beer garden will allow customers to enjoy some fresh air, as does the one located at the Panther Paw.

The new addition will also permit the customers to have a cigarette without having to show identification when re-entering.

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or at kzyskowski@eiu.edu.

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